JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The founding chairperson of the Australia-Africa Minerals and Energy Group (AAMEG), Bill Turner, has been recognised for his service to the mining industry in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours.
Turner has been awarded an officer of the Order of Australia in the Queen’s Birthday honours list, which acknowledged nearly 600 Australians for their contribution to the community.
Turner had also been recognised for international relations through leadership in business and exploration collaboration between Australia and Africa.
AAMEG CEO Trish O’Reilly acknowledged the role that Turner played in building AAMEG into the peak body supporting Australian resource companies operating in Africa, saying the group had gained national and international recognition under his stewardship.
“Australia is an important neighbour to Africa and has a key role to play in helping African countries realise their mineral potential, while maintaining the reputation of Australian operators for providing positive socioeconomic improvements to their host communities,” she said in a statement.
AAMEG supports member companies operating in Africa and facilitates collaboration between industry, governments and key stakeholders.